BEHIND THE CRAFT
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Celebrating Centuries of Japanese-British Relations

The British East India Company is making a historic return to Japan after 400 years, recreating a connection that dates back to 1623. Renowned for its role in fostering trade and diplomacy with Great Britain, The East India Company is collaborating with Japanese Pâtissier & Chocolatier, Kazuaki Eguchi.

Who is Kazuaki Eguchi?

Appointed as Chef Pâtissier for The East India Company, Kazuaki Eguchi brings his rich experience and innovative touch to our development team. Having trained with high-end chocolatiers in Japan and the distinguished Belgian chocolatier Del Rey, Eguchi-san joined Global Dining Co., Ltd. in 2010.

Over the years, he has headed both the pastry department and the signature premium chocolate range ""Decadence du Chocolat."" In 2013, he took the helm as Chef Pâtissier/Chocolatier at Patisserie Del’Immo, where he also serves as CEO. An award-winning author and a regular on Japanese television, Eguchi-san boasts a social media following of over 200,000 enthusiasts.

FGTE99162

Gift to the Chocolatier 100g Caddy

Net Weight: 100g

Black tea with a fragrant fusion of organic roasted cacao husk, black tea, Ceylon, and Taiwanese oolong, accented with a delicate essence of orange.

The East India Company - Lifestyle

Tea

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£25.00
A fragrant blend intertwining organic roasted cacao husks from Central and South America, high-altitude hand-picked black tea from Nuwara Eliya, Ceylon, and selected Taiwanese oolong tea. The infusion of orange essence complements the cacao, creating a harmonious fusion of black tea and chocolate.

Lalith Lenadora, our teamaster, comments:

"This blend is my gift to the chocolatier, Mr Kazuaki Eguchi. I was inspired by his wonderful parfaits which I wanted to incorporate into my tea. We created the blend together when he visited me at The East India Company in London. It is an aromatic chocolatey blend of organic roasted cacao husks from South & Central America, hand-picked, high-grown black tea from the Nuwara Eliya region of Sri Lanka, and select Taiwanese Oolong for a touch of creaminess... But the recipe was transformed by Eguchi-san's addition of a touch of orange essence. The citrus element lifts the cacao and has created a wonderful mixture of our worlds of tea and chocolate."
To capture the creamy essence of chocolate, this blend is perfect for both hot and iced tea, enjoyed straight or with a hint of milk and a touch of brown sugar for a truly decadent experience.
An aromatic chocolatey blend of organic roasted cacao husks from South & Central America, hand-picked, high-grown Black tea from the Nuwara Eliya region of Ceylon and select Taiwanese Oolong for a touch of creaminess. Our tea master, Lalith Lenadora was inspired by Chef Paitissier & Chocolatier Kazuaki Eguchi's beautiful creations in chocolate.
Wanting to bring these flavours into tea, he developed this blend, which was his 'gift' to Mr. Eguchi when they met in London. The blend is entirely natural, with no artificial flavours, and sourced sustainably using 100% regenerative cacao. It is climate positive, carbon negative, and traded fairly with all farmers receiving 100% living wages.
Quantity

3~4g of tea

Temperature

200-250ML OF WATER AT 100ºC

Brewing Time

4-5 MINS BREWING TIME

Ingredients

Oolong Tea, Cacao husk, Black tea, Natural Sweet Orange flavour.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place avoiding direct sunlight and strong odours.

Stories

Celebrating Centuries of Japanese-British Relations

The relationship between Japan and Britain, especially during the era of the East India Company's influence, marked a significant chapter in the history of both nations. The arrival of the first British ship, the Clove, in Japan in 1613, under the command of Captain John Saris, initiated a series of diplomatic, trading, scientific, and cultural exchanges that laid the foundation for future interactions between the two countries.

Upon the Clove's return to Britain in 1614, it marked a momentous occasion, symbolising the beginning of a relationship that would endure for centuries. The voyage not only established a direct link between Japan and Britain but also paved the way for further exploration and collaboration.

The East India Company played a crucial role in facilitating trade between Japan and Britain during this period. Established in 1600, the East India Company was granted a royal charter by Queen Elizabeth I, empowering it to trade in the East Indies, including Japan. The company's presence in Japan opened up new avenues for commerce, introducing Japanese goods such as silk, porcelain, and lacquerware to British markets, while also exporting British goods to Japan.

Today, the East India Company is committed to nurturing and furthering the longstanding relations between Japan and Britain. To this end, we are excited to collaborate with Eguchi-San, a distinguished figure in the culinary world. In 2013, he assumed the role of Chef Pâtissier/Chocolatier at Patisserie Del’Immo, where his talents extend to his leadership as CEO. With a strong presence and a dedicated social media following of over 200,000, Eguchi-San brings the 'critical ingredient' to our partnership.

We eagerly anticipate the opportunities that lie ahead as we embark on this collaboration with Eguchi-San, bridging cultures and flavours to create remarkable connections that honour our shared history and pave the way for a prosperous future.

Our spirit delivers no ordinary products

  • FAQ

    Does this tea contain caffeine and is there more or less than in coffee?
    Yes, all tea like coffee, contains caffeine. The amount in both teas and coffees does vary, depending on the type, but typically Sri Lankan black tea is lighter than other teas in caffeine content, usually between 50 and 90mg for a normally brewed 230ml serving. This compares to about 95mg for a normal cup of coffee. The best advice is to treat tea and coffee similarly if you need to manage your caffeine intake.

    I’ve heard that tea contains theanine. What is it and what does it do?
    Tea does indeed contain theanine, which is an amino acid [the building blocks of proteins]. Tea is one of only a few sources of theanine. It represents about 1% of dry weight and is at its highest concentrate in shade-grown teas like matcha and gyokuro. Whilst not yet proven in scientific studies that would permit specific health claims to be made, it is believed by many to be able to reduce mental and physical stress, promote relaxation and a sense of well-being. But not only that, it is more recently being thought to aid cognitive function. It’s one explanation for tea’s famous ability to create calm in a crisis [the Great British solution to all problems – ‘putting the kettle on’] and to stimulate when a little boost is required.

  • Delivery & Returns

    UK Standard Delivery: £3.95
    UK Next Day Delivery (mainland UK only): £9.95 (Order before 12pm)
    International Delivery is available, please see our delivery page for details. For more information and Terms & Conditions, please see our Delivery page.

  • Reviews

Gift to the Chocolatier 100g Caddy

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